Special Offer

Publisher's Description

+

From ZoneAlarm:
ZoneAlarm is designed to protect your DSL- or cable-connected PC from hackers. This program includes four interlocking security services: a firewall, an application control, an Internet lock, and Zones. The firewall controls the door to your computer and allows only traffic you understand and initiate. The application control allows you to decide which applications can and cannot use the Internet. The Internet lock blocks Internet traffic while your computer is unattended or while you're not using the Internet, and it can be activated automatically with your computer's screensaver or after a set period of inactivity. Zones monitor all activity on your computer and alert you when a new application attempts to access the Internet.

Program control - handy for discovering spyware (and sometimes adware) on your system. It pops up a very useful "question box" on the bottom right. Outbound protection is uncommon in Firewalls. Most hardware firewalls do not protect against outbound connections.

Stealths your computer - very nice!

And lastly, it's free, with no strings attached (other than a breef nag on first run to get the Pro, paid version).

Cons

Opening and closing specific ports would have been much preferred.

When gaming, the question box that asks if you want to allow the game to connect to the internet often interrupts the game, forcing the window to minimize and go back to the desktop.

it is free, easy to use and customize. ability to block intrusions easily or to automatically allow safe programs to pass through without having to repeatedly response, thus it does not interrupt what you do.

people who do not know how to fully use it's features will complain that it blocks access to the internet, certain websites or programs, which i find it's really stupid. those people should learn how to configure around and read the help files to understand the more complex functions.

a must have firewall, better than many commercial ones.

Cons

with it's anti virus detection function, it doesn't detect many anti virus programs, like AntiVir (which i used previously) and AVG 7 (which i happen to be using currently), but it does detect norton anti virus (which is quite useless, AVG 7 has detected many viruses that norton failed to).

relatively huge, due to pro version within it.

it locks up when i scan my computer for virus with AVG free edition 7 (solution is to disconnect from the internet totally, which is not much of a flaw, but a flaw nonetheless).

it also hangs my computer when i scan for spyware with ad aware (which i later found out was ad aware's flaw, solution is to disconnect from the internet).

despite some flaws, which can be dealt with easily, it's a program that i cannot do without.

This product is VERY easy to use and is very secure. if a program doesn't need access to the internet to work then you can block it. it also keeps you safe from any hacker attacks and has great support with "Trusted Zones" if you're on a network. This program is MUST it keeps you secure and doesn't interfere with anything unlike other firewalls.

Cons

The only problem with ZoneAlarm is it slightly slows down your internet connection. However, I am on 28.8Kbps and I dont notice so even Dial-up users can use this.

E-mail This Review

Thank You, !

Report Offensive Content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.